Kirklees Labour councillor warns his Huddersfield MP: ‘divided parties don’t win’

Jun 9 2009 by John Knighton, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

BARRY Sheerman’s attack on the Prime Minister led to a “loss of confidence” in Labour, according to a party colleague.

The Huddersfield MP caused a political storm last week when he called for a secret ballot on Gordon Brown’s future.

Clr Mehboob Khan, Labour leader on Kirklees Council said yesterday that Mr Sheerman’s comments had damaged Labour’s performance in last week’s European and council elections.

Clr Khan said: “I think Barry Sheerman’s comments probably contributed to the public loss of confidence in a party that they thought was internally divided.

“Divided parties never win elections.

“Barry Sheerman and his colleagues have a duty to serve the public and not engage in any further internal squabbles or else the public will not forgive Labour at the next election.”

Clr Khan added that unless Labour was united, it would suffer “its greatest national loss since the party was created” at the next general election.

Mr Sheerman could not be reached for comment yesterday.